Overkill!!

The dealer knows that you will not take the car if he has fukced up somewhere especially as the dealers probably already recognises you as a difficult client. He need time to prep the car and do any dealer add-ons. He should not put it through a car wash, most should have a hand wash valet facility attached to it.

Also, be careful of mistreating the paint too early.

rael

 

Just in case it hasn't been considered, if the dealer cant move your can they wont inspect it, and in PA you cant take delivery of the car until it is inspected. You also can not drive it. I have purchased two new car from a a mazda dealer in Allentown. I saw one of them still on the trailer for delivery and told my wife about it. I called that day and bought it, it had 4 miles on it. I purchased a 98 mpv and they brought it to this particular dealer in a dealer trade, this one had 12 miles on it. I think that if you are going to place all of these restrictions on the dealers, some very warranted mind you, you will be placing some restrictions on yourself as well. I think a reasonable allowance of 8 to 10 miles would be reasonable and still allow the dealer to do what they need, while perserving you purchase experience. Just my opinion, but please take good care of them, I will be looking for a used one in a few years.

 

Just in case it hasn't been considered, if the dealer cant move your can they wont inspect it, and in PA you cant take delivery of the car until it is inspected. You also can not drive it. I have purchased two new car from a a mazda dealer in Allentown. I saw one of them still on the trailer for delivery and told my wife about it. I called that day and bought it, it had 4 miles on it. I purchased a 98 mpv and they brought it to this particular dealer in a dealer trade, this one had 12 miles on it. I think that if you are going to place all of these restrictions on the dealers, some very warranted mind you, you will be placing some restrictions on yourself as well. I think a reasonable allowance of 8 to 10 miles would be reasonable and still allow the dealer to do what they need, while perserving you purchase experience. Just my opinion, but please take good care of them, I will be looking for a used one in a few years.

 

I thought it was time to resurrect this thread since the 8's are on the water. We should get these bad boys to our dealers

 

so now that the time is near(we hope)......I think I have a reasonable approach to the concerns some of us have regarding dealer prep.

First of all, I believe the only way that we will be able to tell that our Rev happy 8's wont be gang banged by 2 or 3 dealership employees (just as excited as us to see the new 8's), is to make sure we are at the Dealer the day that the truck shows up. A new Rotary Engine in a long awaited sports car, a set of keys and two smirking lot boys will be all it takes for our RX-8's to see their first drive. No letter that probably one person saw and then stuffed in a file (probably circular in shape) will keep that from occuring. I used to work at a Toyota Dealership and believe me, If someone needs the keys to a car for whatever...they just grab them. Things get too busy for people to be watched over.

Second, I will also be requesting that my car not be washed or waxed. There is NO way that they will take the time and patience that we will to our own cars. Also I agree that wax is not a good idea right way. A good wash at home with a new wash mit ( not one that has washed 456 cars already). As far as Plastic removal, I'm undecided about that...I may ask them to remove it, however try to be there when they do it. Also if they slap a glued on dealershil badge....I will have a stroke. I will test drive the car also prior to final sale.

Another issue is that most dealers have a routine with the mechanics to check certain thing before the car leaves the the lot. Its a liability issue......for instance...they recheck all fluids, and tire pressure. This may be a time when your car dissapears in the service department for awhile.

so the pick up day concerns are as follows in order of priority

1. Damage during transport (you would be amazed how many cars get scuffed of scrathed befor the dealer even sees them)

2. Unauthorized test drives and vehicle milage ( 8-10 is reasonable)

3. Poor dealer prep ( like waxing with high power buffer and half assed clay bar and dealer badging)

4. poorly installed accesories (color matched appearence Packages etc).

 

so if a car has 5 or more miles on it you guys are not going to buy it? even though you have waited months?

 

NO if it has 5.2 miles it should not be a problem:D

I think everybody is just scared the dealer is going to give testdrives and rev the hell out of the engine.

 

unfortunatley that will happen. i have an advantage than everybody else because i work at the dealer im buying from. but unfortunately your cars will most likey be looked at by everybody, especially the first one dropped off. every person is going to want to sit in it. the hood will be open while everybody looks at it. they may not drive it. some will. i dont know if the letter will help or not, once the car is off the truck EVERBODY is going to look at them. but if it makes you feel better to send the letter than you should. it wont hurt to ask, just be nice about it. dont be rude!

 

OOOhhh i know people will sit in it and all, What i do not want to happen is some dumbass reving the engine beyond the recommemded Rev range. Everything else I can deal with. My dealer told me they were going to contact me when the truck was on it's way so I could plan to be there when it arrives

 

I remember when a friend bought a Nissan Pulsar Turbo (Australian model) several years ago, the boost was electronically limited when they first took delivery. When it went in for it's 1000km service, the dealer punched in some magic code to unlock full boost.

I'm rather surprised that they don't do something similar these days, given the amount of processing power available in today's ECU's. Surely it wouldn't be too hard to artificially lower the rev limit for the first few hundred miles, and even have it automatically ramp up as the engine hours accumulate?

 

i will probably just drive 1 car right away......not mine, i am thinking proabably zoom49's he is buying one at the same place, hell i dont want to destroy my engine or wrap it around a tree or anything but zoom49....sure why not, the dealers insurance will cover it...heck maybe we all can test drive his..might as well just drive one car...
:D :D :D


(j/k zoom49) :D

 

I'm thinking of going into the dealership and talking to another salesman (one from the lot, not Ted who sits behind the desk all day) and ask if they have one, if I can drive it. If they let me, no sale. If he says they don't have any that can be driven or something, I'll go find Ted and buy the car.

 

that makes absulutely no sense. they will have a car to drive. who would not buy a car without driving it. and also not every pre-order is sold. heck look at some of the post. somebody who pre-ordered the car may not like it in person, so they will not buy, the it will go into inventory. you guys are being way to picky. ITS JUST A CAR!!!!!!

 

I think the wait is starting to get to us.

 

No it's $30,000 that we are shelling out. for that much they have a right to be picky if they want

 

i can't wait to see all these guys in our service drive on the second day complaining that the alignment is off, the ac doesnt work, there is no coolant, there is a rattle. all because they would not let the dealer do an inspection because they do not want 3 miles put on the car. has anybody ever bought a car from the dealer that had a dent or lots of body damage. every car they sale they inspect and in order to inspect they drive. relax the dealer does not want to damage your car. also somebody said they wanted their car detailed by experts and looked at by experts THE DEALER IS THE EXPERTS!!!!

 

yeah be picky i agree its a lot of money. i am just saying relax. they are not going to total your car. they are going to make sure it is all to factory specs. i would much rather take delivery of a car knowing everything is ok than have to bring it back for something that should have been checked earlier. so it get a few miles on it.
so what no big deal!

 

agreed

 

Personally I find all this interesting as none of the dealers I have bought a car from in the past several years is even allowed to sell a vehicle without prepping it (removing the plastic, etc.) and I know the last two cars went through a fairly extensive prep checklist before they were delivered (everything from inserting most of the fuses, which typically are not in place during transport, to checking alignment, fluid levels, charging the battery back to full, etc.)

I don't know what Mazda's policy is on these matters, but I suspect at the very least the dealer has to take the plastic off (which also usually leaves a light tack on the paint which I would think most people would want off; it's no more sticky than Post-It® Note glue, but something I still bet most people wouldn't want on their paint and wheels...)

 

Thought I'd revive this thread one more time: Here's the letter I'm about to hit my dealer with. Anybody have any comments?

I'm writing to let you know how much I appreciate all of your help and cooperation in assisting me to acquire a 2004 Mazda RX-8. I know I've made a pest of myself, but you've been patient and helpful and maintained your sense of humor.

Now I want to make a pest of myself one more time, and I hope you will equally understand.

My request has to do with the preparation of the RX-8 before I pick it up. Others and I that have pre-ordered have put together this list as a guideline for new buyers like me, who are fanatics about this car. The following list covers my concerns and what I'd like the prep to include (or not include). I'm sure you will take care of these things, but for my own peace of mind, I just wanted to confirm this checklist:

1. Please keep me informed of the delivery status, as you receive updates from Mazda and/or the transporters.

2. Please call me immediately when the car arrives. I would like to be there to take pictures of it as it comes off the truck and as it gets unwrapped.

3. The car should not be driven for any purpose except if necessary for dealer preparation or to fix any mechanical problems that need to be addressed before delivery to me.

4. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers or be taken by employees without my presence or approval. I'll be happy to work with you to allow others to see and experience the RX-8.

5. 5,000 RPM on the engine should not be exceeded for any purpose.

6. Do not install a license plate holder on the front of the car. I do need one though, and will take responsibility for mounting it.

7. If there are rubber coil spring holders or other packaging that Mazda installs for shipping, please remove them.

8. Do not wax the car. If you only have a mechanical wash tunnel, do not wash the car. I want to do everything possible to minimize paint damage, and to seal the paint with my wax of choice.

9. Do not install the floor mats Mazda supplies with the car. I will take care of the installation.

10. Do not adhere any decals/badges of any kind. I would be happy to have a dealer license plate frame and a supply of business cards to let people know where I bought the car.

I hope I don't sound like a jerk making these requests, and while you may or may not follow many of these procedures, they are based on the concerns of many others that have pre-ordered the RX-8. They ensure that fanatics like me can start with the car at the level of perfection we seem to obsess about having. I know you understand and I appreciate that. I will be sure to take care of you on any post-delivery surveys I receive if you do your best to follow the above.

It has been a pleasure to deal with you and {dealerships name}.

{Insert any message to personalize this}

If there are any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at {phone numbers}.

Sincerely yours,

 

Here is the letter I sent to my dealer -- he agreed with all of my requests and said he would ask for the same things if he were buying the car.

****************
I'm writing to let you know how much I appreciate all of your help and cooperation in assisting me in acquiring a 2004 Mazda RX-8. I know there were moments when I made a pest of myself, but you were always patient and helpful and maintained your sense of humor.

The car should be released from the port early this week and begin it’s journey to Omaha. Please notify me when you have a set delivery date. I would like you to please update me on the status of the accessories I want to order. I provided a list to you on 6/25/03 via email. On 6/24/03 we inquired of your Parts Manager about ordering these accessories and he said that we couldn’t order yet but would contact me when they were available for order. There are several dealers that are offering these accessories on-line at the current time and I have personally talked with several other pre-order customers who have already taken delivery of these accessories items. I would like to have these installed prior to taking delivery – so please send me a status update. If you can’t order them yet, I will have to order from another dealer that has them currently available.

Now I want to make a pest of myself one more time.

My request has to do with a few matters concerning the preparation of the RX-8 before I pick it up. Others and I that have pre-ordered have put together this list as a guideline for new buyers like me, who are fanatics about this car. The following list covers my concerns and what I'd like the prep to include (or not include). I'm sure you take care of these things, but for my own peace of mind, I just wanted to confirm this checklist:

1. I would like to be contacted when the vehicle arrives via truck and present for the initial inspection.

2. The car should not be driven for any purpose except if necessary to fix any mechanical problems that need to be addressed before delivery to me. I expect that less than 5 miles will be shown on the odometer when I take delivery of the vehicle.

3. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers or be taken by employees. I understand that pre-delivery inspections, etc. will need to be performed but I expect that other handling or demonstrations be prohibited.

4. 4,000 RPM on the engine should not be exceeded for any purpose. As I am sure you know the original break-in period is essential for the long-term health of the rotary engine.

5. Do not install a license plate holder (if applicable) on front of the car. I will take responsibility for mounting the front license plate. Please place the mounting bracket (as well as any other unused parts) in the trunk.

6. Remove the rubber coil spring holders that Mazda installs for shipping of the car.

7. Do not wax the car for any reason and avoid washing if possible. If you must wash the car prior to delivery, please be sure that a power washer or automated system is not used. I will be having the car detailed myself and it is essential that no wax is present on the vehicle.

8. Do not adhere any decals/badges of any kind (i.e. dealer advertising) to the vehicle.

I hope I don't sound like a jerk making these requests, and I am sure you follow many of these procedures, but they are based on the concerns of many others that have pre-ordered the RX-8 and they ensure that fanatics like me can start with the car at the level of perfection we seem to obsess with having. I'm sure you understand and I appreciate that. Please communicate my pre-delivery requests to the appropriate people in your service and prep areas.

It has been a pleasure to deal with you and XXXXX Mazda. I look forward to taking delivery very soon! You may contact me anytime on my cell phone XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely yours,

 

Not when it comes to grammar....

"Me fail English? That's onpossible!"

:D :D :D

 

My 8 inbound, and glad I found this thread. Hey thanks to you folks for putting this letter thing together! I've been stewing about similar ideas to send the dealer, and have a couple of questions...

1) I tried to find a thread on this, but I HATE having to stuff up that beautiful intake with a license plate... I saw that LocknLoad in Australia had a number sticker made, but I bet it's illegal here in Colo. What are you planning? Any high tech solutions?

2) I have read a lot of posts, and while I think that a clear-bra is pure profit to the dealer, they're probably a good thing (yes?)
Will it harm the paint to let them install it (like over a lousy cleaning or just because the paint is new) given the posts about carelessness at some dealerships?

I'm willing to be a bit relaxed 'cause it is "just" a car, but I also am the type to be ticked off if I end up with something screwed up on account of someone else's lousy job.